NEWS Uniforms a steep outlay for parents By NICOLA WOLFE nicola.wolfe@fairfaxmedia.co.nz spend anywhere between $127 to $400 to kit the kids out for school – and that’s only with the basics. For around $127 at the majority A of primary schools in town, a parent can buy two polo shirts, a pair of shorts, or a skort for the girls, a polar fleece and three pair of socks from their school’s uniform shop. School shorts, skorts and track- pants can also be purchase at Postie and The Warehouse. Fenwick and Papakaio Schools can purchase uniforms through Sutherlands Mens and Ladieswear in Thames Street. Despite the cost, Xara Watson, whose daughter Miley is starting at Pembroke School, has decided to buy a uniform despite the school’s non-compulsory policy. She believes buying a uniform is an easier, cheaper option. ‘‘I chose to put her in uniform even though it’s not compulsory as it’s less fights in morning for what to wear and also I think in the long run it’s cheaper. By the time you send [them] in mufti every day, and with the wear and tear of those clothes, it’d be just as cheap to send them in a uniform that survey into the cost of school uniforms in Oamaru has revealed parents can I chose to put her in uniform even though it’s not compulsory as it’s less fights in morning for what to wear and also I think in the long run it’s cheaper. ❝ Xara Watson Pembroke School mum identifies them to that school. And the children look more smarter in a uniform,’’ she said, ‘‘Being a school with noncompulsory uniform, however, it makes buying second hand harder. So I went new.’’ She found uniform prices to be ‘‘expected.’’ ‘‘The way I budgeted was started buying bits of the uniform since November so gave me three months to get it all together.’’ A basic Oamaru Intermediate School uniform purchased through Sutherlands cost $216 for a boy and $244 for a girl, the kilt increasing the overall cost. Mother of two, Bronwyn Styles, whose daughter Kate is starting at Intermediate this year, said it is possible to keep costs down by shopping around. There were some new items she chose to buy new so they could be passed on to another sibling, but they rest she bought secondhand. ‘‘We had a skirt donated to us from an ex-intermediate student,’’ she said. ‘‘We also went to the secondhand sale at the school. The next day we went to look at buying some items new – it’s really quite expensive.’’ The key, she said, is planning in advance. The cost was by far the greatest at high school, with kilts, blazer, number ones, and extra sport uniforms bringing the cost well into the hundreds. Both St Kevin’s College and Waitaki Boys High School uniform’s can be purchased at Sutherlands, minus kilts. Both schools hit the $400-plus mark for a basic uniform consisting of two shirts, a pair of bottoms, a jersey and three pairs of socks. The Waitaki Girls uniform can be purchased directly from the school. St Kevin’s and WBHS also have their own uniform shop. One mum, whose daughter is starting high school and wished to remain anonymous, said she found the cost of secondary school uniforms ‘‘very expensive’’. Her biggest concern was that secondhand uniforms would end up costing more in the long run if WAITAKI HERALD, JANUARY 21, 2015 3 Pricey uniforms: Miley Watson, 5, wearing her new school uniform.MumXara decided to put Miley in uniform despite Pembroke School’s non-compulsory policy because she feels it is a "cheaper" option. Photo: NICOLA WOLFE/FAIRFAX NZ they required alterations or replacement. ‘‘Because it’s her first year of high school we are buying everything new so it will last five years. The problem is you can’t buy the [Waitaki Girls uniform] anywhere else other than the school shop. As a single parent, she has found the initial outlay difficult – ‘‘and that’s not including the price of shoes and stationary,’’ she added – and wonders whether the steep price is really necessary. Imagine your carefree new life at McKenzie Lifestyle Village. The sun is shining, the birds are singing, what a great day for a drive in the country. And what better destination than Geraldine? Treat yourself to coffee or an ice-cream, then come and check out the progress at McKenzie Lifestyle Village, 33 Connolly Street. We’ll show you how the village is growing and take you to the clubhouse to see the future plans. Call David Connolly now on 0800 84 55 24. A sa A safe message f om Ne ty message from Network W ork Waitakiaki Limited 6474072AG The electricity company that Delivers power in North Otago Before boating, know the height of your masts and aerials above land when towing a and above water when sailing. Always look up and think SAFETY